Building knowledge: from the production of paradidactic material for environmental education in the Cerrado to the training of teachers

The creation of supplementary educational materials for environmental education, such as the book “Trees of the Cerrado: Economic and Social Importance in Environmental Education” is essential to actively and contextually engage students. The development of this material involved adapting scientific knowledge into accessible language, as well as contextualizing it with the students’ reality to make learning more relevant. To maximize the implementation of environmental education in schools, teacher training was conducted, focused on the Cerrado biome. This aimed to empower educators to integrate environmental content in an interdisciplinary manner, promoting awareness and preservation of the environment. The book was developed based on comprehensive research and a focus on the biodiversity of the Cerrado, emphasizing the socioeconomic value of local trees. Practical methodologies, such as educational games, were used to stimulate student interest and promote meaningful learning. The supplementary material and teacher training aim to prepare future generations to consciously deal with environmental challenges, promoting quality education and sustainability. The preliminary evaluation of the training showed positive results, highlighting the importance of initiatives like this to strengthen awareness and conservation of the Cerrado through the use of supplementary educational materials.